Flo- Rida

by Leigh Belz

Florence Welch with our April 2009 issue.

For my October column, I interviewed one of my new favorite singers, Florence Welch of Florence & the Machine.

We spotlighted Flo in our April Music Portfolio and, with the release of the band's debut album, Lungs, I wanted to catch up with her again for Music Blogger. Both times I've interviewed the 23-year-old, she's talked about how she's found success by coloring outside the lines. For that reason, she says, every new step she takes in terms of her music career is extra exciting. (At the start of the year, she told me: "I'm not really sure what's next [for me]. There is no plan.")

She makes a great case for winging it. This summer, Florence and the band tore up the stage at the Reading and Glastonbury fests (to name a few) and have been nominated for the UK's Mercury Music prize.

Florence was kind enough to autograph her vinyl EP, A Lot of Love, A Lot of Blood, for one lucky TeenVogue.com reader. The EP features five songs including an exclusive remix of "Dog Days Are Over" (one of my favorites).

Go HERE to enter the contest to win the EP and check out pages 74 - 76 of the October issue to hear more about the amazing Miss Welch. (And enjoy her video for "Dog Days are Over" below!)